Missouri – Missouri authorities have announced a first-degree murder charge against 34-year-old man in connection with the death of his youngest child’s mother, 31-year-old AIvatyne. He is also facing a weapons charge for being a feIon in possession of a firearm.
The defendant, K. Maybery, was taken into custody last week. The charges stem from a 2021 incident when Missouri authorities responded to a welfare check at the victim’s residence. Upon arrival, officers discovered the woman deceased in a chair with a pIastic bag taped around her head. She had been shot in the back, suffered severe sweIIing on her forehead, a severed ear, and displayed defensive wounds. Investigators also noted that bIeach had been poured over her body.
During the initial investigation, the defendant told police he was at work at the time of the woman’s death. However, coworkers reported that he had Ieft work for several hours during the critical time frame and returned wearing different clothes and appearing distraught.
Further investigation revealed incriminating evidence on the defendant’s phone, including internet searches for “first-degree murder defenses” and inquiries about the admissibility of “he say, she say” evidence in Missouri murder cases. Additionally, the defendant reportedly sent messages detailing the circumstances of the woman’s death before such information was publicly released. He also contacted a criminal defense attorney to inquire about the cost of representation in a murder case.
The victim’s family informed authorities that she had been in an abusive relationship with the defendant. Her sisters expressed a mix of relief and sorrow following the charges.
The defendant, a convicted felon who had recently completed a federal sentence, was found in possession of a loaded firearm at the time of his arrest. He is currently being held without bond.
The investigation into the victim’s death had been delayed due to administrative issues, including a previously unaddressed request by homicide detectives to present the case to the former Circuit Attorney’s office in May 2022. Following the defendant’s release from federal custody, the case was revisited, leading to the current charges.
